La Rioja

La Rioja province houses 8,500 hectares of vineyards. With an arid climate, La Rioja only sees about 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) of rain a year. The altitude varies from 800 to upwards of 1400 meters (2,620 – 4,590 feet) above sea level. The soil is alluvial, meaning that it contains sediments left from runoff water from the close by Andes Mountain range. In some areas of La Rioja, the soil is also sandy. Sun exposure is very high, creating extremely hot summers, and therefore only some grapes can thrive in La Rioja as many grapes shrivel.  Major varietals include Torrontes, specifically the Torrontes Riojano, and some Syrah and Malbec grapes.  Bonarda also grows in La Rioja.

Important wine growing areas within La Rioja include the Valle de Famatina (Famatina Valley), Nonogasta, and Chilecito. Valle de Famatina, of north-central La Rioja, is the valley of a 6,250 meter (8,700 feet) high mountain range, creating excellent temperature differential to grow grape vines. Chilecito is just north of Nonogasta in central La Rioja. La Rioja produces 44.7 million kilograms (49,270 US tons) of grapes a year. Argentineans are certified to consume 257,321 hectoliters (68 million gallons) of wine from La Rioja, while La Rioja annually exports about 71,700 hectoliters (18.9 million gallons) or about $12.8 million USD worth of wine. Major wineries based in La Rioja include Bodegas San Huberto, Bodega La Riojana, Chanarmuyo Estate, and Valle de la Puerta.

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